Automatic dog washing machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic washing apparatus for dogs and alike animals comprises a washing tub, a brushing plate and a horizontally moving carrier board on each side of the tub. Each brushing plate is attached to a vertically moving crank slider through horizontal extension arms. Each crank slider is motorized by a motor and situated on a carrier board. In other embodiments the brush plates are driven by other mechanical mechanisms such as Scotch Yoke, Whitworth quick return, cam slider, reciprocating gear rack or rotation to rotation mechanisms using gears or pulleys and belts. The carrier boards are mobilized through pulley and belt, and wheels on rails. The movement is guided by a guiding rail. The tub includes a door and a drain on the floor and a waste water compartment beneath the floor. The brushing plates and carrier boards are enclosed under two side covers. The apparatus further provides a water spraying system including spraying tubings, a water tank and a water pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a pet washing machine, and more particularly pertains to an automatic washing machine for dogs.

2. Description of Prior Art

Conventional ways to wash a pet dogs at home involve placing a dog in a tub or in a yard and manually rinse and wash the dog with a brush or by hands of a person. The commercial dog grooming facilities may use expensive washing systems consisting of a tub with a filter and a drain, a water heater, a water spray hose, a shampoo dispenser, an air blower with heating. Both situations require manual brushing of human hands, which is tedious and time-consuming.

Specially designed automatic dog washers have been available in a some countries which are generally expensive and are used as vendor machines. However, even fully automatic the washing machine only provide water spraying without brushing the furs of a dog Therefore the washing is not efficient especially for dogs with long hairs or dense furs.

To improve the pet washing inefficiency many pet washing or grooming devices or apparatuses have been designed in the prior art. However, many of the devices are complicated and not practical. Others are forceful using restraining belts, collars or containers which make the dogs nervous and noncompliant such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,328. Again most pet washing apparatuses use showers such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,191, or pressured water spray as means of cleaning (U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,747 B2.) Pressured water spray is hurtful and ineffective. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,229 described an automatic machine comprising a casing in which pressured water is sprayed on an animal through nozzles.

Therefore an automatic washing machine providing gentle and adjustable brushing on a dog is novel and needed for dog owners or the dog grooming industry.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,502 disclosed an automatic pet washing apparatus including longitudinally movable rods which move brushes in same direction. The problem with such design is that the friction between the brushes and a dog's fur caused by the brushing motion make the dog's position in the closure unstable. This is avoided in this invention wherein the brushing motions are vertical, radial or rotational.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention an automatic washing apparatus for a pet especially for a pet dog is provided. The apparatus uses simple mechanical mechanisms for brushing and a movable carrier for a brushing plate to brush a dog from head to tail. The apparatus comprises a shallow washing tub with a drain and a waste compartment under the drain, a water spraying system including a water tank, spraying tubings and a water pump. Therefore it is feasible to manufacture and the cost of such a commercial product will be affordable to dog owners. The apparatus can complete the majority of the washing process automatically without conventional scrubbing by human hands. More parts can be adapted to the apparatus such as means for water heating, air blowing and vacuuming. As a result dogs can be maintained in more hygienic conditions beneficial to the health of animals and their owners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dog washing machine without the covers of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dog washing machine without covers;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame structure of the dog washing machine with two side covers;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a brushing plate attached to a slider through two arms;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the inside of a carrier board showing a crank slider;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the outside of a carrier board showing a motor and a slider channel;

FIG. 5D is an enlarged perspective view of a timing belt clamp 29, a timing belt 5, and guide rail bushings on a carrier board in FIG. 5B which provides a sliding motion to the carrier board;

FIG. 6A is an elevational view of the inside of a carrier board 7;

FIG. 6B is an elevational view of the outside of a carrier board 7;

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of a brushing plate 8 and its supporting arm 14, the carrier board 7 and slider 15 and slider track 16;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative design of the slider using Whitworth quick return mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative design of the slider using Scotch Yoke mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative design of a crank slider;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an alternative design of the slider.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings the invention generally comprises the following components and mechanisms which are contemplated to be employed with all embodiments of the invention disclosed herein: 1) a washing tub 1 for a pet animal having a drain on the floor leading water to the waste water compartment 3 beneath the tub floor, 2) a carrier board 7 which is a longitudinally movable vertical platform positioned on each outer sides of the tub, 3) a moving system situated on each long side of the outside walls of the tub including a longitudinally mounted guide rail 4, on which the carrier board 7 can slide reciprocally though bushings, FIGS. 5B and 5D, 22, a timing belt, FIG. 1 and FIG. 5D, 5, which drives the carrier board 7 and wheels, FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5B and 5C, 20, on the bottoms of the carrier boards movable on a rail, FIGS. 1 and 4, 6, 4) a brushing plate 8 located on each inner side of the tub movable reciprocatingly or rotationally, with the brushing plate and its bristle 9 material, shape, size and length being changeable, 5) a mechanical device on each of the carrier boards driven manually or by a motor 17 which transmits a rotational motion to a brushing motion of the brushing plates, which are attached through adjustable arms 14 to a moving part of the mechanical device, 6) a water spraying system including two overhead spraying tubing, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, 13 with openings facing down on a dog, connected to a detachable water tank, FIGS. 1-3, 2 for storing warm cleaning water, and a water pump for delivering water to the spraying tubings, 7) two side covers 10 on each sides of the tub housing the tub, the brushing plates, the carrier boards, the mechanical devices, the moving systems and the spraying system.

The front panel/door 11 of the tub is hinged and can be opened downward. The possible leaking through the seams of the front door is minimized by a properly tapered tub floor and a drain 12. To wash a dog the operator pours warm water into the water tank, then leads the dog into the tub over the laid down front door serving as a ramp. The front door is then closed. The distance between the two brushing plates 8 is adjustable by changing the lengths of the arms 14 on the brushing plates 8. The distance the longitudinally moving carrier boards 7 travel can be adjusted by setting a return position using a micro switch sensor on the rail 4 based on the length of the animal. The speeds of the movements of brushing plates and the carrier boards can be adjusted by two different speed controls. The material, shape and length of the brushes 9 can be chosen depending on the dog's size, fur type and sensibility. After the animal is stabilized in the washing machine the valve of water pump is turned to spray water and the switch for the pump is turned on. When the fur of the animal is completely soaked the operator turns on the switch for brushing. The dog will be brushed automatically on both sides from head to tail alternately while the carrier boards moving forwards and backwards. The water in the waster water compartment can be drained to the ground or an elevated drain such as a toilet or a sink using a built in water pump in the washing machine. After the washing the animal can be dried in the tub with a towel and an air blower manually. Additional parts can be added to the washing machine to provide a drying function.

The preferred motion modes for the brushing plates are vertical, arch, or rotational. It is understood that in the following embodiments different brushing motions for the brushing plates can be employed by choosing a mechanical device of a suitable mechanism.

In one embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a crank slider, which is attached to a brushing plate through one or more extendable arms, FIG. 5A, 14. The crank can be made of either a crank wheel, FIG. 6A, 19, and a connecting rod, FIG. 6A, 18, or a crank arm, FIG. 5B, 21, and a connecting rod, FIG. 5B, 18. The crank wheel or crank arm is pivotally interconnected with axis 23 in FIG. 6A or axis 27 in FIG. 5B, which can be the shaft of motor 17 in FIG. 5C and FIG. 6B, and pivotally interconnected with a connecting rod 18 at the other end at axis 24 in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6A. The connecting rod 18 is pivotally interconnected with slider 15 at axis 25 in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6A. The slider can be a pistol in a cylinder or a bar, such as 15 in FIGS. 5A-C and FIGS. 6A-C, with smooth surfaces moving in a channel as depicted in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, 16 or a track as depicted in FIGS. 6A-C.

In another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a pulley and belt system which transmits a motor's rotational force to an arch or rotational motion of the brushing plate.

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a gear system which transmits a motor's rotational force to an arch or rotational motion of the brushing plate.

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a Whitworth's quick return system which transmits a rotational motion to reciprocating motion of the brushing plate, with a crank arm rotating around axis 28, a crank pin 29 pushing a slotted arm 30 which rotates around axis 31 and pulls and pushes slider 15 through connecting rod 18 as depicted in FIG. 7;

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a Scotch Yoke system which transmits a motor's rotational force to reciprocation motion of the brushing plate, with crank pin 32 on crank wheel 33 driving a slotted arm 34, which is attached to the bottom of slider 15, while the crank wheel rotating around axis 35 the slider moving up and down as depicted in FIG. 8;

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a cam/slider system which transmits a motor's rotational force to reciprocation motion of the brushing plate.

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a motor driven rotating disk with two crank pins, FIG. 9, 32, which lift the slider through arm 36, and pushing down the slider through a slotted angle bar 37 which rotates around axis 38; transmitting rotational force to reciprocating rectilinear motion of the slider as depicted in FIG. 9.

In the another embodiment the mechanical device driving the brushing plate is a motor driven rotating disk, using a crank wheel 33 and pin 32 which moves a slotted bar 34 which has a gear 39 at the lower end, which reciprocates rack slider 40 as depicted in FIG. 10.

In the another embodiment the movable carrier board is driven by a gear system powered by a slowly rotating motor.

Naturally, the scope of the present invention extends to embodiments which achieve equal utility by using the same innovative concept. 

I claim:
 1. A washing apparatus for animals, such as dogs and the like, comprising: a washing tub with a drain; two brushing means positioned along inner long sides of said tub; two mechanical devices positioned along outer sides of said tub, each having a moving part connected to said brushing means providing brushing motions to said brushing means; two moving means positioned along outer sides of said tub, each providing a longitudinal and reciprocating motion to a carrier which carries one said mechanical device;
 2. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a crank slider, said crank having a rotary motion and said slider having a reciprocating motion, said crank and said slider being pivotally interconnected, wherein said brushing means is affixed to said slider;
 3. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said crank slider consists of a crank arm, a connecting rod and a slider; wherein said crank arm is a rod with one end pivotally interconnected to the shaft of a motor which imparting rotational power, and said connecting rod is a rod pivotally interconnected to said crank arm and said slider, said connecting rod converting the rotational motion of said crank arm to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 4. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said crank slider consists of a crank wheel, a connecting rod and a slider, said crank wheel being a disc with a pivot connected to said connecting rod; said connecting rod converting the rotational motion of said crank wheel to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 5. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a Whitworth's quick return system consisting of a rotary pin, a slotted rod and a slider which transfers a rotational force to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 6. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a Scotch Yoke system consisting of a crank wheel with a pin pushing a slotted rod which is a part of a slider, said Scotch Yoke system transmitting a rotational force to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 7. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a cam slider system which transmits a rotational force to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 8. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a rotating disc with pins pushing a slider forward and backward which transfers rotational force to a reciprocating motion of said slider;
 9. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a rotating wheel with a crank-pin moving a slotted bar which has a gear at end reciprocating a rack slider.
 10. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a gear system which transmits a rotational force to a rotary motion of said brushing means;
 11. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a pulley system which transmits a rotational force to a rotary motion of said brushing means;
 12. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanical device is a quick return system consisting of a rotary crank pin and a slotted rod with one end interconnected to an axis, which imparts an arc motion to said brushing means around said axis;
 13. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a motor situated on each of said moving means providing power to drive each of said mechanical device which transmits said motor's rotary motion to said brushing motion of said brushing means;
 14. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said moving means having wheels on its lower part movable on a rail;
 15. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said moving means is movable by sliding on a track;
 17. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a side cover for each longitudinal side of said tub housing said brushing means and said moving means;
 18. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 17, further including a spraying means consisting of a water tank, spraying tubings on the tops of said side covers, and a water pump for pumping water from said water tank to said spraying tubings;
 19. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a waste water compartment underneath the floor of said tub. 